Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS)

06/05/2026

We’re excited to attend the NASFA 2026 National Conference & Expo, taking place June 7 to 10. This year’s agenda highlights key topics shaping the future of public facilities, including building occupancy and portfolio strategy, asset management, maintenance and operations, compliance, project delivery, historic facilities, AI, and CMMS data.

IBTS is looking forward to engaging with state facilities leaders, industry partners, and public-sector peers throughout the conference. We’re excited to learn from the sessions, exchange ideas, and take part in conversations around facility management, compliance, asset management, and the evolving needs of public infrastructure. We hope to see you there!

Learn More: https://www.nasfa.net/upcoming-events/2026-national-conference-expo-texas

The NASFA 2026 National Conference and Expo will take place Sunday, June 7 - Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin, Texas.

05/29/2026

Safer communities do not happen by chance. They're built through connected decisions, and every link in the community safety chain matters.

In this chain, each link represents a critical part of resilience:

Land-use planning is the first link. It helps determine where it is safe to build, reducing exposure to hazards and protecting the land communities depend on.

Building codes guide how we build, helping structures withstand risks and keep people safe.

Infrastructure investment, the last link, supports the essential systems residents rely on every day, from roads and utilities to public facilities and emergency access.

When one link is weak, the whole chain is affected. But when communities plan carefully, build to rigorous standards, and invest in long-term maintenance, they create safer, stronger communities for everyone.

What do these links mean to you?

05/28/2026

A resilient community is more than one that can respond to disruption. It is one that is organized, inclusive, and equipped to adapt, recover, and move forward together.

A community can only be truly resilient when all people are considered in planning, decision-making, and long-term recovery.

That means making space for voices that are too often overlooked, including low-income residents, older adults living alone, people with disabilities or functional diversity, families, neighbors, and those facing language barriers.

Real resilience starts by listening, building trust, and ensuring community members have a meaningful role in shaping the process.

Who else belongs at the table? Comment your thoughts below.

05/27/2026

For the last week of Building Safety Month, we’re reflecting on what it means to build communities without limits.

For IBTS, resilient communities are not defined only by geography, infrastructure, or the challenges they face. They are shaped by the people who come together, take ownership of their surroundings, and create a shared path forward.

Strong community organization, local leadership, and a deep sense of belonging are what turn planning into progress. When residents are empowered to participate in decisions that affect their homes, neighborhoods, and future, communities become better prepared to grow, adapt, and recover.

That is the heart of resilience: people working together to strengthen the places they call home.

05/25/2026

Today, IBTS pauses to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and legacy inspire our continued commitment to serving communities with purpose and helping build a safer, stronger future.

05/20/2026

Hospitals are built around one mission: keeping people safe. The spaces they operate in should do the same.

When healthcare facilities grow, renovate, or modernize, every decision matters. IBTS helps bring clarity and consistency to complex construction environments, so project teams can stay focused on progress while safety remains at the center.

That work has a direct impact on the people who depend on these spaces every day. Patients receive care in safer environments, staff can work with greater confidence, and communities benefit from healthcare facilities that are built to serve them reliably for years to come.

Strong healthcare infrastructure supports strong community health.

05/19/2026

IBTS is looking forward to the 14th Annual Building Innovation Conference, hosted by the National Institute of Building Sciences on May 19–20, 2026, in McLean, VA.

As communities navigate aging infrastructure, resilience challenges, housing needs, and evolving building technologies, events like this help bring together the ideas and expertise needed to move practical solutions forward. We’re excited to join the conversation with government, AEC, research, planning, and building science leaders working to strengthen the future of the built environment.

Learn more about the event here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7443030316132241410/

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05/18/2026

Strong communities don’t happen overnight. They’re built through planning, partnership, and a commitment to protecting people before the next disaster strikes.

IBTS helps communities turn recovery funding and resilience goals into action by supporting local leaders, strengthening preparedness, and helping ensure that projects are delivered responsibly and effectively.

This work is especially important in communities facing repeated disaster risks, where resilience planning can help protect families, reduce future damage, and create a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.

By working alongside local governments and community partners, IBTS helps make resilience more than a plan on paper. It becomes a path toward safer homes, stronger infrastructure, and more prepared communities.

05/15/2026

IBTS is excited to join the 14th Annual Building Innovation Conference, hosted by the National Institute of Building Sciences on May 19–20, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, VA. The conference will bring together leaders from government, AEC, research, community planning, and academia to explore innovation across infrastructure resilience, building codes, housing, digital delivery, adaptive design, and modular offsite construction.

From building safety to disaster management, IBTS brings a community-centered perspective to the challenges shaping today’s built environment. We’re excited to exchange ideas with government leaders, industry partners, and decision-makers working to advance practical solutions for stronger, safer communities.

Read more about the conference: https://nibs.org/building-innovation-conference

Communities nationwide face mounting challenges, from natural hazards to aging lifeline infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated innovation across the built environment. The 14th Annual Building Innovation Conference will be held on May 19–20, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons C...

05/14/2026

IBTS is proud to share that Chris Miller, Director of Civic & Infrastructure Services Division, will speak at the 2026 ICMA Local Government Reimagined Conference: Democracy and the Public Trust, taking place May 13–15 in Philadelphia, PA. This conference brings local government leaders together for education, workshops, and conversations focused on ethical, professional management, public trust, and the evolving needs of communities.

Join Chris on May 14 from 3:30–4:00 PM for his panel, “Promise, Pitfalls & Practical Steps: Standing Up AI Call Centers That Serve and Safeguard Your Community.” Drawing from IBTS’ work in St. George, Louisiana, Chris will share practical lessons on how local governments can use AI to improve citizen service while keeping trust, guardrails, and human oversight at the center.

The session will explore what it takes to start with the right use case, connect existing data systems, reduce staff strain, support faster responses, and plan for real-world challenges like authentication, vendor readiness, language coverage, and resident adoption.

We hope to see you there!